Fratello Favorites: The Best Watches Of 2025 — Henry’s Picks From IWC, Seiko, Longines, And More

Every year, the watch industry delivers a flood of releases that range from quietly brilliant to perhaps a little forgettable. Indeed, 2025 has been no different. Amid anniversary reissues, limited editions, and the like, a handful of releases stood out to me as watches that genuinely got things right. These are not necessarily the most expensive or technically extreme watches of the year. Rather, they’re a selection of ones that felt considered, wearable, and emotionally resonant.

It is always hard to compile a list like this, especially since 2025 was a strong year for watch releases. What ties these together is not a single design language or price bracket but, instead, a shared sense of purpose. Whether it’s a modestly priced diver that channels the spirit of a long-lost classic or a high-end ceramic sports watch executed with confidence, each of these models feels like a watch that needed to exist. Here are a few of my favorite watch releases of 2025.

The Caravelle Sea Hunter by Bulova

If you had asked me a few years ago whether a modern, sub-$500 dive watch could still feel exciting, I might have hesitated. The market has been saturated for so long that true standouts are rare. And yet, the Caravelle Sea Hunter by Bulova surprised me more than almost any other watch this year. The Sea Hunter succeeds where so many affordable divers fail: it shows an understanding of proportions, legibility, and restraint. With a 39mm case, it sits comfortably on a wide range of wrists. The dial is clean. It feels like a watch designed to be worn daily.

What truly makes the Sea Hunter special, though, is its positioning. Since the discontinuation of the Seiko SKX, enthusiasts have been searching for a true spiritual successor — not a reinterpretation but a modern, honest-to-goodness tool watch with soul. At US$375, this is one of the first watches that genuinely fills that void without trying too hard. It doesn’t cosplay as a vintage diver, nor does it overreach technologically. It’s simple, tough, and affordable. And in 2025, that’s a powerful combination.

IWC Ingenieur Automatic 42

IWC Ingenieur Automatic 42 in black ceramic

IWC’s Ingenieur has had something of an identity crisis over the years, but in 2025, the brand delivered a version that feels decisive and confident. The full-black-ceramic Ingenieur Automatic 42 is bold without being brash — a stealthy, modern take on Gérald Genta’s integrated-bracelet watch for IWC. Ceramic is notoriously difficult to execute well, especially in complex cases like the Ingenieur’s. Here, IWC absolutely nailed it. The black absorbs light beautifully, highlighting the crisp edges and brushed surfaces without looking flashy. The bracelet, with its well-articulated links, is supple and comfortable for extended wear.

With a 42mm diameter, this is not a small watch, but the dark ceramic visually slims it down, while the integrated design keeps it planted on the wrist. The dial is clean and legible, staying true to the Ingenieur’s tool-watch roots despite the futuristic material choice. This is not a watch for everyone — nor should it be. It’s expensive, unapologetically modern, and unmistakably IWC. For those who appreciate high-end materials used with restraint, the black ceramic IWC Automatic Ingenieur 42 (€21,500) is one of the most compelling luxury sports watches of the year.

Ollech & Wajs C-1000 A and Y

Ollech & Wajs continues to be one of the most quietly authentic brands in the industry, and the C-1000 only reinforces that reputation. With a 1,000m depth rating, this is a no-nonsense dive watch that wears its purpose on its sleeve. Despite the extreme specs, the C-1000 wears surprisingly well. The case is compact for what it offers, and the overall design is refreshingly straightforward. There’s no attempt to soften the tool-watch aesthetic; instead, it embraces it fully.

Based on a historically important watch, the Ollech & Wajs Caribbean, this release is a favorite of mine from the small brand. The black-dial C-1000 A is classic and utilitarian, while the yellow-dial C-1000 Y (CHF 1,896) brings a welcome injection of character. Both versions benefit from good legibility, with bold hands and markers that clearly prioritize function over decoration. In a year when many brands leaned heavily into nostalgia, Ollech & Wajs delivered something that feels timeless rather than retro. This is a watch that could have existed decades ago — and will still make sense decades from now.

Longines Ultra-Chron Classic

Longines has been on a roll in recent years, but the 37mm Ultra-Chron Classic might be one of its most satisfying releases to date. By scaling the case down and refining the proportions, Longines has brought this high-beat classic closer to its inspiration than ever before. The smaller case transforms the watch. What was once slightly oversized now feels balanced and versatile, equally at home on a leather strap or steel bracelet. The 37mm version is my pick over the larger one.

Inside, the high-frequency movement is the real star. Longines has long been associated with precision, and the Ultra-Chron name is not mere marketing. This is a watch that quietly celebrates technical excellence without shouting about it. For enthusiasts who appreciate heritage done properly, with real attention to detail and historical accuracy, the Longines Ultra-Chron Classic (€3,900) is one of the best watches of 2025.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Classic

Jaeger-LeCoultre is often called “the watchmaker’s watchmaker,” and the 36mm Master Control Classic perfectly illustrates why. In an era when dress watches are frequently oversized or overstyled, this release feels refreshingly restrained. The 36mm case is, quite simply, perfect. It wears elegantly without feeling precious, and the proportions recall a time when watches were designed to complement the wrist rather than dominate it. The dial is a masterclass in balance, with clean markers, subtle textures, and a layout that rewards close inspection.

This is not a watch that demands attention — and that’s exactly the point. It’s the kind of piece that grows on you, becoming more appreciated the longer you live with it. In many ways, it represents a return to fundamentals for Jaeger-LeCoultre, and the result is all the better for it. The only downside? The Master Control Classic (€9,050) is a limited run of 500 pieces.

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique (38mm)

The Fifty Fathoms is one of the most important dive watches ever made, and the new 38mm version finally brings its legendary design into truly wearable territory for many collectors. On the wrist, it feels just right — compact, balanced, and unmistakably Blancpain. The finishing is exceptional, the dial is deep and rich, and the movement is everything you’d expect from a brand of this caliber. It’s a reminder that Blancpain still sets the standard for high-end dive watches.

That said, the €18,050 price is undeniably steep. This is not an impulse purchase, nor is it a watch that will appeal to value-driven buyers. But judged purely on execution, the 38mm Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is close to flawless.

Seiko 5 Sports “Gene Kranz” SRPL91 and SRPL93

Finally, we come to one of the most joyful releases of the year. The Seiko 5 Sports “Gene Kranz” editions tap into a kind of playful nostalgia that Seiko does better than almost any other brand. Inspired by the iconic NASA flight director’s Seiko 6119-8460, these watches are fun without being gimmicky. The colors are bold but wearable, the case is familiar and comfortable, and the overall package feels thoughtfully put together.

At €460, the SRPL91 and SRPL93 won’t change the course of horology, but they don’t need to. They remind us why so many enthusiasts fell in love with Seiko in the first place — accessible, characterful watches that just nail the design brief.

Closing thoughts on the best watches of 2025

Looking back at 2025, what stands out most is not a single trend or complication, but a renewed focus on proportion, purpose, and authenticity. From affordable tool watches to high-end icons refined to perfection, these releases show that the industry is listening — at least some of the industry players, some of the time.

If this list proves anything, it’s that great watches don’t have to fit into a single mold. They just have to feel right on the wrist and honest in their intent. And in 2025, these watches did exactly that.